Sensitivity of the electret ionization chamber to fast neutrons

The electret ionization chamber is an analogue of the common ionization chamber using permanently charged electrodes - electrets. The applicability of such electret dosimeters for detecting X and gamma radiation primarily in personnel monitoring has been described by various authors. However, investigations concerning their sensitivity to neutrons are rather rare. In the present paper the sensitivity of a polyethylene-walled electret ionization chamber with parallel plate geometry was determined. Irradiation experiments were made with 3.2 MeV and 14.7 MeV neutrons of normal and parallel incidence. The results are compared with those of a PTFE chamber which exhibits a generally lower sensitivity. (orig.)